Topic: Quick Q on buying a CB750

[strangedaze39]

The good things about the bike:
The original paint and seat are freaking flawless.
The engine turns over and looks clean
It's $500
Stock exhaust another $50?

The Bad
Doesn't run ATM (owner hasn't tried messing with it)
It doesn't have a title

So I'm not sure how much a 1972 CB750 is worth if I restored and if it doesn't have a title I should be fine as long as I get a bill of sale and run the VIN first right?

Thanks for reading and any replies are appreciated,
SD

[TwoTired]

It not worth anything but parts resale value if you can't own it legally.

[Aaron J Williams]

International Title Services can get you a title for $85 as long as it's not stolen. Restoring a CB750 can be fun but you might not get your investment back if your only goal is to make money. OEM pipes for this bike cost $1200 alone. For $500 you could probably get your money back by parting it out. If you do decide to buy it and part it, I'll buy the tank, side covers, and seat from you.

[strangedaze39]

I might end up parting it out, if it looks like I won't be able to get the title to pull through in the end. I'll definitely let you know how it turns out Aaron.

TwoTired, I don't plan on buying it and not owning it legally. Obviously I would have to get a replacement title, which although takes a long time as long as the bike isn't stolen it shouldn't be a problem.

Thanks for the reply's guys, now I'm even more unsure about buying it 
-SD

[Aaron J Williams]

Definitely buy it, I need the parts!

[phactory]

strangedaze39,

  You don't say where you are located but in Massachusetts where I live, at the very least you need a registration. It doesn't have to be current, it just needs to show some sort of paper trail. Barring that you can use ITS. I just did it on my 1971 CB750 and it was indeed $85.00 and a piece of cake. I received from them an Alabama registration, which I took to the Registry. The lady at the Registry did ask me if I bought it from Alabama, to which I responded, "Yes, I bought it on ebay!!"      Worked like a charm and now I have a title in my name. It helped that I bought it from a good friend of mine.

 I wouldn't part it out unless it was junk. In my BMW world, I would never part out a matching number bike. For a CB750 I would at least check the number range to make sure that they were valid.

 It IS a Honda, so getting it running is a given!

 K2's and newer will continue to rise in prices, but for $550.00 how can you go wrong?

Phil

The good things about the bike:
The original paint and seat are freaking flawless.
The engine turns over and looks clean
It's $500
Stock exhaust another $50?

The Bad
Doesn't run ATM (owner hasn't tried messing with it)
It doesn't have a title

So I'm not sure how much a 1972 CB750 is worth if I restored and if it doesn't have a title I should be fine as long as I get a bill of sale and run the VIN first right?

Thanks for reading and any replies are appreciated,
SD

[TwoTired]

TwoTired, I don't plan on buying it and not owning it legally. Obviously I would have to get a replacement title, which although takes a long time as long as the bike isn't stolen it shouldn't be a problem.

That's the real point isn't it?  Don't buy it unless you can ascertain it isn't stolen...for sure, or owned by someone who is not getting money for it and giving you a signed bill of sale.  Or, be prepared to sell the parts that can't be traced to recoup your investment.

Cheers,

[phactory]

It took me about 3 weeks to get my paperwork from International Title Service and at least that long to get my Title from the State of Massachusetts. I don't feel that is long at all.

If you really feel that it might be stolen, you can get the VIN# and go to your local Police and they will run the number for you. Most likely it is just forgotten and unloved.

Phil

TwoTired, I don't plan on buying it and not owning it legally. Obviously I would have to get a replacement title, which although takes a long time as long as the bike isn't stolen it shouldn't be a problem.

-SD

[magnus72]

sounds like the only thing keeping you from owning this bike is $85.

[754]

2nd line in the first post..
 what colour??..sounds like the better part of 500 right there..

[GammaFlat]

If you are ok with buying/owning it then logically you should be ok with moving your parts over to a "good" '72 frame and title - I'm sure you can find that on ebay or here.  Swapping the parts over shouldn't be too bad. 

I'm in a similar spot.  I have a '77 750K with a "junk title".  I have learned that a junk title is pretty much irrecoverable but not illegal to own.  In other words, I'll never be able to make it street legal (plates, registration... title in my name).  My strategery [sic] is to swap all the parts over to another '77 frame with good title.  Anyone out there got one for me near Chicago?  Hahnda has a bike that interests me a great deal but it's a couple hundred miles away  

My thoughts: Buy it now.  I'd rather not see you part it out but even doing that you'll do well financially. 

John